Guilt Free Sweet...paleo

My down fall in life, is my ravenous sweet tooth.  It is so hard for me to resist a cupcake or some homemade ice cream with hot fudge...mmmmmm.  The times when I don't cheat on my body, I make this paleo friendly treat.  It is super easy and there are a million variations you can do. 

What you need:   2 cans of Coconut milk (place in the fridge over night)
                            Blueberries (or your favorite berry)
                            Honey
                            Optional:  almond slivers or unsweetened coconut flakes

After you refrigerate the coconut milk over night, scoop out the cream off the top of the can.  Place in your blender.    

Tip: pour leftover milk in a jar and refrigerate for later recipes

Whip the coconut cream for about 10 minutes on high....until the coconut cream has heavy peaks like whip cream. 

Coconut whip cream is also great in Chi Tea or Coffee

Now, add your favorite berries and drizzle a tiny amount of honey..........eat away.

Picking things up...putting them down....

Today I took my first official Crossfit class.  As I was driving to class, I had this wave of anxiety and self-doubt come over me.  I almost turned around and went back home.  But, that would have been letting my old ways control me.  Instead, I shook it off and told myself, you are being RIDICULOUS...this is just exercising

This is me a 2 months ago. Clean and Press @ 45lbs, Now I can lift at 65lbs

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Some of our home gym equipment

For the past few months, my Hottie Husband, has been coaching me at home with some of our equipment.  We decided if I really enjoyed Crossfit, I would join a gym after a few months of training at home.  HH works out at a big competitive Crossfit gym and I am just not interested in a gym like that.  I like to hang with your everyday kind of people at a smaller gym.  I just didn't want to get lost in a sea of people or be known as HH's wife.
                                           

I arrived at the CF gym, everyone was so welcoming and made me feel right at home.   We did our warm up, consisted of stretches, situps, handstand push-ups, a 400 meter run, and 20 Back Squats.  Our WOD (workout of the day) is called KAREN.   This video (below) I pulled off of youtube.  I like this example, because it shows just your average Crossfitter. Since it was my first day at the gym, the coach had me use a 8lb ball.  I did it in 7 minutes and 27 seconds. 


 Crossfit can be intimidating, but anyone can do it.  The feeling you get, after completing a extremely difficult workout, is amazing.  My body is transforming very quickly and I am physically stronger. On an emotional/mental level, I feel stronger as well.   I use to let negative you suck thoughts over take me, but now I am able to push through.  Besides, when you break it down, all we are doing is Picking things up and putting them down.  HA!

30 day challenge....

Some of you may have heard of the Paleo Diet.  Sounds awful and intimidating, doesn't it?   I use to think that way.....'you can't eat what?  I have to eat....what?  Twigs & sticks...'.   I am here to tell you this ordinary girl; who loves chocolate, pizza, french fries, and sweets is trading them all in for a 30 day Paleo Challenge.

I know what you are saying right now.  It is to expensive, it is to hard, you can't eat anything, that is just a bullshit diet fad.....blah blah diddeeeblah.  Yeah, yeah....I said the same darn thing.   For over a year, my Hottie Husband, has been giving me a hard time about becoming a Paleo believer.  And of course, in my Old Ways fashion, I blew his advice off.  Yes, I would eat Paleo meals with him and bake some paleo muffins, but at the end of the day I still didn't trust the idea of eating clean.  It seemed to hard.

I began to take my fitness and emotional health on a whole new level a few months ago.  I have been pushing my 30something body and hoping it would respond like my old 22 year old body (um..not so much).    Along with my workouts, I work full time, care full time for my 2 year old son, and constantly work on being a good wife/person.  Needless to say, I was starting to get pretty fatigued.  And what happens when we start to feel this way.....we reach for the sugar and the gluten to boost us through the day.  But, then we crash even harder.  A vicious cycle continues. 

Once again, I turn to Hottie Husband (and yes babe..you are right).   After a discussion about my goals and health.  I agreed to do the 30 day Paleo Challenge.  This time, FULLY COMMITTED and mentally ready for the task. I went in with an open mind and open heart.

The first day, no problem.   Then, the second day hit me like a ton of bricks and continued into the first week.  I image detoxing your body from sugar and gluten, is a lot like going through heroine withdraws. My body was going into shock (headaches and all).  And I was a total bitch.  Poor Hottie Husband had to deal with the brunt of my rudeness.

At the beginning of my 3rd week.  I was feeling pretty good.  My energy level is up and I have lost a total of 5lbs.  And biggest thing of all, I am so close to having a flat stomach!  All that belly fat is melting off.  Not even all the sit ups and running could get the Wilcox spare tire off.   (Seriously people, my biggest problem area).

Going into my 4th week was a breeze (even though I have dreams of a cheeseburger).  I have really enjoyed cooking and preparing meals.  It has been a creative challenge to come up with meals, deserts, and baked goods Paleo style.  Hottie Husband always says 'LL can burn lettuce!'.  Well, I think I have proved him wrong. 

I have learned from the Paleo Challenge that gluten and most dairy disagree with me.  I realize after some experimenting, I feel bloated and sluggish after eating gluten.  Staying away from wheat and dairy is the key to my success to feel better physically and emotionally.  Am I going to be 100% Paleo? Nope, but I do enjoy paleo meals.  I decided what works best for me is a Gluten Free diet, where I eat mainly paleo style meals and snacks.  This was a fun challenge  It taught me a lot about eating clean, reading ALL labels, and really thinking about what  I am putting into my body.  Oh, and I learned to cook!

Here is a few links to some paleo websites.
http://www.everydaypaleo.com
http://robbwolf.com/